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Chapter 11: I Promise
We walked deeper and deeper into the forest, what seemed like a sunny paradise suddenly became spooky and felt haunted. It didn't even feel like we were in the same state.
We eventually got so deep into thick woods we had to use flashlights.
"Do you see anything?" Thomas asked. I huffed and shook me head.
"Nothing. I think we should split up." I suggested. "We have our walkie talkies and we can call each other through those."
"Good idea. Be careful, okay? These woods get rough."
"You too." I said. "I'll see you a little later"
We went our separate ways. It felt strange being alone again. Thomas had helped me and led me everywhere so far.
I scanned the surrounding area, it had been a half hour since we had spilt up. I was beginning to feel discouraged. There were no signs of her anywhere.
My feet shuffled across the ground covered in leaves, not watching close enough where I stepped I tripped on a branch, hitting the ground hard.
"Oh man.." I moaned, sitting up. I heard a snap beside me. I quickly spotted my flashlight and crawled to reach it. I flashed it in the woods and called out "Who's there? Thomas?"
With no reply I searched for where the sound came from.
I heard a loud howl of some sort of wild dogs onto of ledge. As I went to turn away and go find Thomas, I heard a different noise, a cry. A human cry. My heart beat out of my chest and without hesitation I jumped onto the rocky cliff and climbed towards the top.
I nearly fell to my death more than twice. I held my breath and kept going until I reached the top. I could still hear the cry.
"Whose there? Hello! I'm here to help, where are you?" I shouted loudly, running faster and faster to the cry. It continued to grow louder. I froze, trying to listen over my heart that was pounding out of my chest.
The rest of the world was deep into a memory of mine now, my focus was on that helpless cry and that cry only. I realized it was much further than where I was standing, I slowly walked closer and closer, to a wall of bush and brush. Trees too. I bursted through the wall to the other side. Thorns stuck in my ribs and arms, I didn't care of the pain, I kept going. I stumbled into a cave, where the echoes of the cry rang loudly in my ear.
"I'm coming!" I shouted. I turned on my flash light and walked more carefully through the darkness.
"Daphne! Daphne is that you? Are you in here?" I called, praying in my heart that she'd come racing into my arms. When the crying never stopped I kept walking towards it until finally I spotted movement!
I inched closer to it. It moved continuously and then I could spot out clearly it was under a blanket, a white blanket. I lifted it up to find, an innocent baby. My heart froze for moments I felt dead. I didn't touch it or move it. I just stared, in complete shock.
The baby didn't stop the crying uncontrollably. I placed the flash light on the cold ground and reached my hands out and gently scooped the child into my arms.
"Shh..don't cry little one. You'll be alright. My arms will keep you safe and warm, don't worry." I whispered softly until the tears had stopped flooding its tiny face. The child soon slipped into a deep sleep in my embrace. I pressed my lips on its little forehead, as the child shivered and snuggled into a more comfortable position. I brushed my fingers through its thick, silky strawberry blond hair.
"Where's your mother little baby?" I whispered.
"She's right here.." A gentle soft voice answered. Sweeping her feet across the ground stepping into the light. I froze in the sound of her voice.
"Come into the light" I commanded softly. She stood in the light of the lantern I lit. And in that moment my heart dropped.
"Daphne?" I questioned chocking on my words and tears filled my eyes.
"It's me Freddy.." It was her..Daphne was here. In a cave with a child she just claimed was hers. Her cloths looked more like rags, they were torn and her hair hasn't been washed in days. She was walking skin and bones. Her face showed exhaustion and fear. It filled her eyes.
I jumped to my feet and rushed to her side, pulling her into a hug.
"You're alright Daphne! Oh God, your alive! I've been worried sick about you. Thank God your okay!" I cried, holding her tightly in one arm and the sleeping baby in my other. Under my cry, I could hear her sobbing uncontrollably in my chest. The tears flowed down my face but I pulled myself together for her. I didn't know what would happen next, but for now I would treasure this moment with her in my arms, if she wanted to stay there forever I'd stand there, and do it for her.
Eventually I was pushed against the wall and slowing slid to the ground. Daphne's heart beat was slow as she sat still resting in my arms with small shivers every few moments. I was so happy to know she was alive. It was a peace I'll never be able to explain through words. I held the baby close to her, and the three of us shared this moment. I rested my head on hers gently. Closing my eyes and tugging her tightly.
"Daphne, are you okay?" I croaked, breaking the silence. She looked up to my face. Her eyes swollen from all of her tears, they continued to stream down her cheeks. Her eyes were still a stunning violet color. She sniffled before opening her mouth to speak.
"Physically I'm fine." She said through breaks of breaths. I gave her frail waist a squeeze. Sliding her closer to me.
"What happened? Why are you in this cave?" I asked softly.
"Oh Freddy, it was terrible!" She cried. Again burying her head in my chest. "He's controlling! He's violent! H-he didn't w..w-want her.." She sobbed. "He tried to k-kill us!" She continued crunching her fist and hitting my chest. I was broken for her. How could this have happened? How'd I let it go on?! Anger filled inside of me, just the thought of that wretched man she use to call her love tried to kill her.
"Dylan?" I questioned carefully. Her sob got louder at the sound if his name and she said yes, though barely understandable.
All the anger in the world could amount up to how mad I was at that man! I hid it all away now, for Daphne. She needed me.
"So this is your daughter?" I asked. She held herself together to nod, wiping the tears off the baby's face, I smiled and then took my now free hand and wiped away Daphne's.
"She's gorgeous Daph.." I sighed, gazing into her tiny features that resembled so much of her mother. "Just like you.." I complimented, causing her to smile. "What's her name?"
"Destiny Joy.." She replied, with a sweet look across her face, happiness shining in her eyes. I could see she was very proud of her baby. And so she should be.
"That's perfect.." I said. Sliding my hand across I placed it over hers. "Come on, lets get you two in the hospital. You're signing a divorce and coming back to Crystal Cove where you'll be safe. The gang and I will take care of both of you. "
Her face filled with fear. "No Fred!" She blurted. "We can't." She gently took the baby out of my hands into her arms. "I can't.."
"Daphne, you have to!" I demanded firmly. She sighed heavily.
"Do you remember before I moved away you promised me you would do anything for me? Anything at all." She asked, her eyes now dry and her voice coming back to life.
"Yes, and I still would. Anything." I reassured her.
"Freddy, I need you to take care of Destiny. Raise her somewhere Dylan will never find her. He can't know she's alive. He can't! She's in danger for her life and I know if anyone can protect her and raise her wonderfully..it's you."
I just stared at the baby in her arms, soaking in every word her mother had said to me. This was one of the biggest decisions of my life. Raising a child was a giant responsibility that I never thought I would take on so soon. I glanced into Daphne's face, she looked so helpless. I know I made a promise to her, and that she loved her daughter more than anything. It was an honor she trusted me enough that she would give me her own child.
"I'll do it" I promised. Her mouth dropped and her face lit up.
"Thank you so much Fred! I don't know if you'll ever know how much you mean to me..." She said, hugging me tightly with the baby still her arm.
"But what about you? Where will you go? You can't live in this cave forever." I protested. Her warming hold disappeared when she backed up to see my face.
"Freddy, I haven't lived here at all. I've been traveling on foot to get out of this town. I was trying to go far enough away where I could get public transportation without being recognized." She explained. "Then I would give Destiny to you and figure out what to do next. "
"You still didn't answer my question. Where will you go Daphne?" I asked calmly placing my hand on her shoulder.
"I.. I'll show up found, tell the police I went away for a little while for a break. I'll get rid of Dylan, I'll divorce him. Then I'll come to Crystal Cove and get Destiny and we'll live happily ever after." She said trying to convince herself and me that it would all work out.
"If you're sure this will work.."
"I'm not. But I'm holding on up hope Fred..I don't want her to not have a mother" I bit my lip and took a swallow feeling the knot in my stomach grow.
"Actually Daphne..I'm getting married. She's a wonderful woman. She'd take good care of Destiny." I admitted the truth. Daphne's face went blank as I saw a small frown appear on her face.
"Oh my Fred. That's amazing. I'm happy for you." She paused and then looked into my eyes. "What's her name?" She asked innocently.
"Jana Roberts." I answered.
"Oh." Was all her response was. It was hard for me to tell what was racing through the young mother's head. I could see she was worried and deeply sad. I realized how hard all of must be for her to take in. Giving up her child, divorcing her violent husband, seeing me, hearing I'm engaged. I felt a sense of guilt pile onto my shoulders. I smiled knowing I was helping her though.
"Did Jana tell you to dye your hair brown?" Daphne questioned curiously.
"Oh no, I dyed it when I came here. So Dylan wouldn't recognize me. I'm a private investigator now so I can't be spotted." I explained trying to make the whole conversation less awkward. A sadness swept across her face and filled in her voice.
"I still recognized you." She said. "Your voice still sounds exactly the way I remember it. Your arms feel just as comforting as before when you would pull me into your sweet embrace." She smoothed, her voice sounding so much like the way it did when we were madly in love with each other years ago. Before fate cut in.
"Why'd you leave Daphne?" Letting the words slip my mouth before having a chance to rethink asking. "Why did you marry Dylan?"
"For reasons you can never know Fred.." She answered quietly, just barely above a whisper.
"I knew it Daphne. It was a forced marriage. I could see it in your eyes the day you married him. You didn't love him." Her face in clear shock and sadness at the same time. "There's just one question, what was it? Why?"
"Freddy, just leave me alone. I don't..I can't tell you!" She said, getting defensive, lightly pushing herself away from me. She act like a child hiding a lie from their parents. I didn't mean to hurt her, God knows the woman has been through heck.
"Daphne, don't get like that, I only mean well. You can't just leave me clueless again. I've wandered around for so long just needing to know, why!" I pleaded.
She had her back turned against me. Still holding her daughter tightly. Moments later I heard her silently crying.
Now what...
TBC
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